Using computers in the English

language classroom

Dr. Nick Shekkeris

Pefkios Georgiades primary school
 Contents
• Introduction
• General description
• Preparing the lesson
• Implementing the lesson
• Evaluation
• Conclusions/Reflections
 Introduction
• Students love learning with computers

• They find computers interesting and an excellent alternative to

traditional course books

• The topic of animals was chosen because it allows students of

mixed abilities to be involved and engaged with what they’re
doing
 Kraemer (2008) says that students interacting with computer

software are placed at centre stage, something which increases

their motivation and allows them to interactively engage with

course materials. As the students have authentic materials they

can relate to a lot easier than text books and activity books, learning

becomes more meaningful and contextualized

• Early finishers can use the computer to do a variety of
activities
• Microsoft Word’s and Powerpoint’s spell check feature give
students instant feedback
• Students can correct their work easier when working on the
computer
• Students like working on their own and not being intimidated
by their peers
• Students can work at their own pace and complete activities
suited to their ability
 Stories are loved by all children!
Online stories can be found by going to:
http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/little-red-
riding-hood
http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/littlered/2.htm
http://www.storytimeforme.com/series

Benefits of reading stories online include:

1. Teacher can choose a story that suits the children’s ability

2. Words are highlighted when read so students know exactly where
they are
3. Each page can be read again and again
4. Different voices are heard not the teacher’s voice again and again
5. Students can advance at their own pace!
 Listening comprehension activity
Students must colour the picture according to the teacher’s
instructions

Benefits of doing such an activity online include:

1. Children don’t understand that they’re learning, they think they’re

playing.
2. Low self esteem students feel that no one is watching over them,
judging them.
3. Students can correct their work as opposed to students doing the
activity on a sheet of paper
 Innovation
• Further to the benefits outlined in the previous slides students
can develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening
skills using computers in far more interesting ways than those
offered by conventional teaching methods and materials

• Students can use technology to receive awards such as the

eTwinning national and European quality label, participation at
the eTwinning award ceremony and best glog.

• Students can use the technology to create jigsaw puzzles,

crosswords, online story books, online games and much more!
The choices are endless!
 General description
School: Pefkios Georgiades primary school

Class: E2

Number of students: 18

Teacher’s name: Dr. Nick Shekkeris

The activities were done as part of our eTwinning project

Zootopia which can be viewed by going to

http://new-twinspace.etwinning.net/web/p59756/welcome

Subject: English, Unit 2 “Learning about animals”

 Preparing the lesson!
• As students had to learn about animals in Unit 2 of their
English books, it was decided that the children would learn
about the topic in a non conventional way that involved a
variety of activities and tasks suited to their abilities

• The aim of the lessons was for students to learn about animals
in an interesting, exciting and non conventional way

• Students used their text books in conjunction with computers,

worksheets, microphones, interactive whiteboards and TVs all
with the purpose to enhance learning.
Examples of students’ work
 Implementing the lesson
In the class students sat in pairs, sometimes in groups and
sometimes one or two children would be sent to the computers
within the class

In the computer lab each child had their own computer but
sometimes students would sit in pairs

Weaker students sometimes asked to be paired to more able

students to do something together
 Implementing the lesson
The following web pages were used for different activities:
1. www.youtube.com (to listen to different videos and songs)
2. www.google.com (to find information for their projects)
3. www.wikipedia.com (also to find information)
4. http://www.magickeys.com/books/
5. http://www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp (to listen to
stories)
6. http://www.coloring4all.com/coloring_pages.htm (to colour
in pictures)
7. http://onlinewordsearch.org/Category.aspx/List/11/farm-
animals (to complete online word search puzzles)
8. http://www.puzzle-maker.com/WS/index.htm
9. http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/search/ (to
create their own word search puzzles)

10. http://abcteach.com/directory/fun_activities/crossword_puzzl
es/interactive_crosswords/
11. http://www.pitara.com/games/crossword/ (to complete online
crosswords)

12. www.eclipsecrossword.com (to create crossword puzzles)

 Evaluation
Students were evaluated in different ways regarding their English
progress and the added value of computers.

1. Students that wrote essays on the computer made fewer

spelling mistakes when writing subsequent essays in their
exercise books as opposed to students who only wrote in their
exercise books.

2. Students that did a Powerpoint presentation about their

favourite animal presented their animal more fluently than
their peers who only wrote about their favourite animal.
3. Students who listened to stories online as opposed to reading a
story book presented their story with increased confidence and
fluency.

4. Students who completed online tasks such as fill the gap exercises
made fewer mistakes than their peers who had the same task in
the form of a worksheet.

5. Students were very eager to come to their English class and often
complained to other teachers when they would miss out on their
English lesson.

6. The students’ motivational levels increased when working with

computers as opposed to following the conventional text books.
 Conclusions/Reflections
• Computers are here to stay therefore it’s important to integrate
them into everyday teaching

• Students have fun working with computers

• Computers assist weaker learners

• Computers allow more able students to challenge themselves

THANK
YOU